With many store shelves stripped bare across Cambria County, several local school districts are keeping no-cost meals available to kids.

“As this has evolved over the last seven to 10 days, it’s kind of been something that’s been unlike certainly anything that’s happened in my 18 years (in this profession),” Conemaugh Valley School District Superintendent Shane Hazenstab said.

The following is a look at what services area school districts are offering with students being kept home under Gov. Tom Wolf’s orders until at least March 30. Wolf’s directive was issued March 13 in light of the coronavirus pandemic, which was declared a national emergency the same day by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Blacklick Valley

The Vikings are among those who are providing bagged breakfasts and lunches at no cost to students starting March 18. Blacklick Valley School District Superintendent Bill Kanich said the to-go food will be available at their facilities between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. during the week.

“This will run for the entire time we’re closed. Hopefully it’s just the two weeks,” he said.

Long-term, Kanich added, district administrators are looking at how missed days will be made up if required by the commonwealth.

“We haven’t gotten that far yet. I know there’s a lot of confusion with that.”

Those with questions can contact the school at 814-749-9211.

Central Cambria

According to the Red Devils page on Facebook, the school district is extending its Backpack Project program to all students, regardless of income.

This program provides take-home weekend meals for students. Those who have questions about how to sign up are asked to email specialdeliveries@cencam.org.

A call to the school was not returned by press deadline.

Conemaugh Valley

Similarly, the Blue Jays will be offering free to-go meals from several locations between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. during the week: the high school, the baseball field in East Conemaugh Borough, the Franklin Fire Hall, and the St. Gregory and St. Barnabas churches in Bon Air and Daisytown.

According to Hazenstab, district officials were key in pulling this plan together.

He added that the meal cost is covered by federal funding and employee hours by district tax dollars.

As for education, Hazenstab said, there’s been discussion about a potential cyber option for make-up school days.

“Each day that we come in, we’re doing a little briefing — what’s new, what do we need to adjust and what do we need to change?” he said.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty, but I think just everybody’s patience and understanding will keep us moving forward.”

Those with questions can contact Hazenstab at 814-535-5005.

Ferndale

Yellow Jackets staff are finalizing distribution plans for no-cost breakfast and lunch to be provided in each of the school district’s boroughs between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Superintendent Carole Kakabar said details about food distribution can be obtained by calling 814-535-1507.

“We’re making history. You know, we’ll be scrutinized in years to come in what we did right and what we did wrong,” Kakabar said. “And we keep that in mind in whatever we do.”

She added that Ferndale administrators have also benefited from cooperation with Greater Johnstown School District administrators.

“I think we’re all stressed, but we’re all working together. It’s just amazing.”

Take-home food through the Backpack Project — which go out Fridays to provide weekend meals for the kids — is set to continue as well.

Forest Hills

Meals for little Rangers hit the road starting March 18.

According to Superintendent Dave Lehman, there will be four pickup locations. Those places and times are: South Fork Wesley United Methodist Church parking lot between 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., the Summerhill Township Fire Co. parking lot in Beaverdale between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., the Mount Olive United Methodist Church parking lot between noon and 12:30 p.m.; Sidman United Methodist Church parking lot between noon and 12:30 p.m.; Croyle Township municipal building between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.; St. Michael Catholic Church between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.; Salix Bethel United Methodist Church between 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.; and Wilmore Heights between noon and 12:30 p.m.

Lehman said he felt it was critical to maintain this kind of service, especially during hard times.

“It’s a priority for us because we understand there are kids right now who need food in their bodies. We want to provide our kids with a little stability,” he said.

“This is a significant event for a lot of people. This is unprecedented. This is the great wide unknown.”

Those with questions are asked to call 814-487-7613.

Greater Johnstown

Press releases from the Trojans indicate that bagged meals for kids will be handed out between 12 and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Cooperdale, Oakhurst, Prospect and Solomon homes.

Additionally, Backpack Project weekend meals can be taken home between noon and 12:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Coopersdale, Prospect and Solomon sites, and between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Oakhurst.

Superintendent Amy Arcurio and district employee Amy Smith did not respond to inquiries by press deadline.

Portage

The Mustangs have devised maybe the most unique approach.

Superintendent Eric Zelanko said meal kits with be delivered to students at their regular bus stops. He characterized the initiative as one that’s been embraced by staff and appreciated by parents.

“A big priority right now is nutritional needs,” he said.

“We’re going to run the bus routes. This has been a really wild process.”

The first batch was being delivered March 18. This includes four breakfasts and four lunches. A second batch is to go out Tuesday, March 24.

Zelanko said he and others within the district will adjust as needed to make sure that student needs are met regardless of the situation.

“We’re building this airplane in flight.”

Anyone with questions about these services can call 814-736-9636.

Richland

The Rams are also looking into a potential takeout meal project that could begin as early as March 23.

“We’re surveying our kids on the free and reduced system to see if they are interested,” Superintendent Arnold Nadonley said. “If they’re interested we’ll set up delivery points for free and reduced meals.”

Nadonley added that Richland will also continue the Backpack Project, which sends meals home with children for the weekend.

“We’re just working through things right now and want to make sure the kids are taken care of,” he said.

For updates or additional information, call the elementary school at 814-266-5757 or the high school at 814-266-6081.

Westmont Hilltop

A message left with at this school district was not returned by press deadline.

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